The key right now is to build it, not anything else.
Chinese military industry compare to the US is at teenage. Strong, but not yet strong enough to test a grown man.
Could China reinvent the wheel? Probably, but why do that? Our industry is weaker to begin with and you want us to go through the same process the US did?
Even at the same speed the us researched we will still be forever behind.
Sure we cheat here and there, but that is all to the ultimate goal of passing US and achieve dominance.
The example here I like to use is Roman Abramovich, he sold STOLEN gas to people and smuggled quite openly. Today he is not remembered for those early indiscretions, but for his billions of dollars, largest yacht, Chelsea football club and a host of other things.
People have a short memory when you are successful, but a long one if you suck.